Liverpool battled hard at the Etihad but ended up with their first Premier League loss of the season.

Sergio Aguero got the opener in the first half before Roberto Firmino levelled in the second. However, Leroy Sane raced clear to produce a fine finish to beat Alisson as the game ended 2-1 to the home side.

Liverpool weren’t shoddy and certainly, this was a real test of our title credentials. The Reds had a few quality chances of their own with Sadio Mane hitting the post and Mohamed Salah being miraculously denied from scoring by a City defender.

There was some controversy when Vincent Kompany was not sent off for a lunge at Salah, and the Reds piled on the pressure in the second half for another equaliser.

City survived some tense moments and needed goal-line heroics, with Ederson making a vital save from our Egyptian forward.

The loss also brings Tottenham back into the race for the title as they sit six points behind us. The Reds are still in the driving seat for the title but have little margin for error.

Many Liverpool fans were upbeat despite the defeat and believed the Reds would bounce-back in the coming days.

Of course, i was disappointed.
However, this is NOT the world end, NOT the league end.
Last year, Man City was beaten by Liverpool in January, but they won the league.
We can do it. You’ll never walk alone.#MCILIV#Liverpool#LFC#YNWA

City deserved the win today, lovern showed he is still susceptible and klopp was poor in choosing starting 11 with no fabinho from start! Overall we didn’t give up and luck wasn’t here, but lets bounce back and not be shamed by losing to the champions of england! #YNWA#MCILIV

Bad news for Liverpool? Gary Neville claims Man City will have this advantage over the Reds during next two Premier League match days

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville claims that Manchester City have an advantage over Liverpool in the next two rounds of the Premier League.

The Reds played before City in the last weekend and piled on the pressure after defeating Crystal Palace. City made light work of Huddersfield and will play before the Reds after the FA Cup and Carabao Cup games.

Neville was speaking to Sky Sports (h/t Express) and claimed playing first was preferable:

“[It makes] a big difference.

“It’s preferable.”

The Sky Sports pundit further claimed that during his playing days at United, the team felt playing first was an advantage. Getting the points first before their rivals was always preferred, according to Neville, and he believed City will put the pressure on Liverpool.

“Either go further in front or close the gap. There’s no doubt it’s a different type of pressure.

“City will absolutely want to be closing that gap to one point, and asking Liverpool have they got it in them to stand the pressure of playing the day after or two days after.”

Liverpool players celebrate a win

City play Newcastle away a day before we host Leicester City. Pep Guardiola’s men then host Arsenal a day prior to us travelling to West Ham United.

The Premier League champions can cut the lead to just one point before we face Leicester, and it will be important for us to respond in the perfect manner, irrespective of City’s result.

Looking good out there. Seems like the club have been doing a fantastic job with getting him back to fitness at the right pace (which is somehow still faster than expected). Probably help that Ox has such a great attitude and determination to get back on the pitch.

Van Dijk is one of the best defenders in the world and has helped the Reds to the top of the Premier League.

The Dutchman joined the Reds from Southampton last year and told Liverpoolfc.com about spoke about the King being open with Van Dijk:

“Kenny Dalglish gave me his mobile number in the very beginning and told me to ring him at any time.

“It is unbelievable when he sometimes sends me messages before games. That is what Liverpool is about.”

The defender added that on match-days he gets to meet many legends and learn more about the club’s history.

The Dutch defender has possibly been the best player for the Reds this season, and could reach legendary status, just like Kenny if he keeps doing the job at the back.

It isn’t just Van Dijk who has been great, the rest of the Liverpool back-four has been fantastic in most games. The Dutchman is an incredible presence at the back, and he seems to make players better if they play alongside him.

The Reds have one of the best defences in Europe, and should we keep things tight at the back, there is a chance of winning silverware under Jurgen Klopp.